The Federal Government has reaffirmed that public enlightenment remains vital to the success of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical standards across Nigeria’s public service.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the CCB, Abdullahi Usman Bello, and his delegation to the Ministry in Abuja.
The Minister stressed that awareness creation is a cornerstone of effective governance, noting that many public servants have limited understanding of the Bureau’s mandate beyond asset declaration.
“Many public servants in this country do not know so much about the Code of Conduct Bureau beyond asset declaration; this must change through sustained public enlightenment,” he said.
He explained that the Bureau’s role is largely preventive rather than punitive, emphasizing the need to stop violations before they occur.
“The Code of Conduct Bureau is not about arresting people after offences are committed; its primary duty is to prevent those infractions from happening in the first place,” Idris added.
The Minister also called for sustained collaboration between institutions, noting that continuous engagement is necessary to deepen awareness and strengthen governance systems.
He highlighted the importance of aligning enforcement with communication strategies, stressing that enforcement alone cannot curb unethical practices without adequate public awareness.
“Enforcement and awareness must go hand in hand; without awareness, enforcement alone will not stop unethical conduct,” he said.
Idris assured the Bureau of the Ministry’s full support, pledging to deploy its agencies to amplify the activities of the CCB and promote accountability across government institutions.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Bureau, Abdullahi Usman Bello, underscored the importance of strategic collaboration with the Ministry, particularly in advancing public sensitisation and strengthening ethical standards in governance.
“CCB is not only an enforcement agency; we are primarily a preventive organisation committed to ensuring that public servants do not engage in corrupt practices in the first place,” he said.
Bello disclosed that the Bureau is seeking partnership with the Ministry in areas such as nationwide sensitisation campaigns, media engagement, capacity building for public officers, and wider dissemination of its activities.
He added that leveraging the Ministry’s communication platforms would enhance compliance with asset declaration requirements and foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency in public service.
Dignitaries present at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam; Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Press Council, Dili Ezughah; and other senior officials from both institutions.